How to reach Domaine du Sourire...

You have researched the type of holiday you want, you have checked our website, you love our accommodation and are happy with the amenities and service. You are close to making a decision to book but are asking “how do you travel here?”

By Ferry

My childhood holidays were more likely to involve a ferry trip rather than flights and I have some great memories of those days. The excitement and fun of discovery far outweighed the longer and slightly more uncomfortable journey conditions. Ferries still offer that sense of adventure and modern ferries are much improved. They’re faster, cleaner, have more onboard facilities and the food, oh yes, the food is much better than when I was a kid. This summer your trip to France could be the time to rediscover the magic of the Ferry.

There are plenty of interesting places to stop off at for refreshment on the way from the harbour to your holiday destination Domaine du Sourire. The gorgeous villages in the countryside, splendid lavender and sunflower fields and vineyards are just a tip of the iceberg when it comes to visiting the numerous sights and attractions in France.

UK/Ireland Port

France Port

Ferry Company

Driving distance from Port to Domaine du Sourire

Dover

Calais

Eurotunnel; P&O Ferries; DFDS Seaways

8 hours

Newhaven

Dieppe

DFDS Seaways

7 hours

Portsmouth

Le Havre

Brittany Ferries

6 hours 30 mins

Portsmouth

St Malo

Brittany Ferries

5 hours 30 mins

Portsmouth

Cherbourg

Brittany Ferries; Condor Ferries

6 hours

Poole

Cherbourg

Brittany Ferries

6 hours

Poole

St Malo

Condor Ferries

5 hours 30 mins

Plymouth

Roscoff

Brittany Ferries

7 hours

Cork

Roscoff

Brittany Ferries

7 hours

Dublin

Cherbourg

Irish Ferries

6 hours

Rosslare

Roscoff

Irish Ferries

7 hours

Rosslare

Cherbourg

Irish Ferries; Stena Line

6 hours

By Air

Flying, too, has much to offer and it has its own excitements of course. The availability of low cost, budget airlines has increased and kept routes open and affordable.

It is still the quickest means of travel. If you’re fortunate and get a window seat, there are often some great views. There is nothing quite like soaring over the countryside, while seas, rivers, mountains, and other beautiful landscapes pass beneath. Even at night, when darkness shrouds the sky, it is pleasant to look out and see the islands of light that spread across the earth below. Of course, you can get good views from other means of transport also, but there is nothing that quite compares to the awesome bird’s eye view from an airplane.

And you can easily hire a car these days while booking your flight and it will be ready and waiting for you. Most airports will offer the major dealerships such as Europecar, Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, and Sixt. However if you need an adapted car do check with the company. Here are a few links that will provide good advice:

The nearest airports to Domaine du Sourire are Angouleme, Poitiers, Bordeaux, Bergerac, Limoges, La Rochelle. Paris CDG is a 2hr TVG Train trip away. From the UK and Ireland, flights are in and around 2 hours.
Angouleme is closest but unless you are flying from London Stansted there are no other flights to this airport from the UK.

Bergerac, Poiters, Bordeax and Limoges all have frequent low cost flights (Easyjet, Ryan Air, FlyBe, BMI Baby and AerLingus) from UK and Ireland and are within an hour and half driving distance from Domaine Du Sourire. A little further out at just around 2 hours driving distance is La Rochelle.

So, if you are coming from beyond the region, you know how to get here; we hope to see you soon.